Significance of maternal antenatal health care intervention in reducing the occurrence of neonatal low birthweight especially in mothers of low socioeconomic class? Data from Jere community of Borno state, Nigeria

Background: low birthweight is associated with increased childhood morbidity and mortality particularly in Nigeria where poverty levels are also high, and most individuals are found in low socioeconomic class. There is now growing evidence that low birth weight could be reduced through access to good maternal antenatal health care. This review deals with the role of maternal antenatal health care delivery in lowering neonatal birthweight, especially in mothers who belong to low socioeconomic class. Methods: One hundred and sixty six mother-neonatal pairs were selected using systematic random sampling method. Maternal socioeconomic class was estimated using oyedeji scoring model and neonatal birthweight was determined using bassinet weighing scale. Results: All mothers 166 (100%) had antenatal care. Out of 166 neonates in this study, 84 (50.6%) neonates were males and 105 (63.3%) had normal birthweight. Sixty-nine (41.6%) mothers had primary education, 81 (48.8%) were unemployed and 111 (66.9) had low socioeconomic class. Nineteen neonates (11.4%) had low birthweight and mean birthweight of neonates whose mothers belong to low socioeconomic class was slightly lower than those of high socioeconomic class. This was however not significant (p = 0.459). Association between maternal socioeconomic class and neonatal birthweight was also not significant (p = 0.565). Conclusion: Maternal antenatal health care services are crucial for reduction in number of low birthweight in neonates across maternal socioeconomic classes